awd mx3

DavidOS · Post by **DavidOS** » February 3rd, 2005, 9:55 pm

just so you know there was a 89-94 (years are scetchy) awd protege with the same chassis as ours that was awd.

Should be a simple transfer ... of course still gotta move a few things around but at least some things bolt straight in.

I confirmed this with a guy who works at mazda here in london as a mechanic, he own 3 mx3 and a couple proteges and a 323 and some other cars. He knew alot of s---.

Anyhow happy hunting:)

Juans_93_MX3 · Post by **Juans_93_MX3** » February 3rd, 2005, 10:01 pm

I still doudt its going to work unless you got alot of time and money to find a way for the tranny to bolt onto the engine.
Can anyoen prove me wrong?

Black Magic · Post by **Black Magic** » February 4th, 2005, 2:15 pm

I got the time/money and fully equiped garage, but I don' t see how the 323 awd tranny would hold over 400hp, else their woudn' t be much use for an awd setup. I have looked quite abit into an awd conversion and the closed so far seems an audi S3 tranny, even the wheelbase is about the same and it's a 6 speed. We might give it a shot next winter, but first I need to built the engine.

Bastian

JWMX3 · Post by **JWMX3** » February 4th, 2005, 7:45 pm

SOMEDAY... SOMEONE will build a AWD Mx-3 ..... Mark my words

Juans_93_MX3 · Post by **Juans_93_MX3** » February 4th, 2005, 8:14 pm

What several people here have told me is that it is near impossible to convert to AWD because the 323 tranny dosent even bolt on any K series engine

BUT, I have been hearing of people making 4Cyl MX3s AWD.

RoundTop · Post by **RoundTop** » February 4th, 2005, 8:28 pm

Someone IS. One guy from washington (who turbo'd is BP (no, not a BPT, turbo's his BP)) is putting in AWD. The biggest problem is having to put a tunnel cover for it down the center of the car. He has ripped out most of the interior anyways, so he is doing it this summer.

Yoda · Post by **Yoda** » February 4th, 2005, 8:39 pm

Depending on which production line your MX-3 was built on Converting it to AWD is pretty much bolt on. The rear subframe assy attached with 4 bolts. If you unbolt the standard rear crossmember, trailing arms and struts all you have to do is bolt the 323 AWD rear assy in place. The other thing you will have to swap is the (BG) AWD fuel tank in place of the standard fuel tank. There is a tunnel down the middle for the drive shaft and exhaust to pass. Since the MX-3 is really just a (BG) 323 hatchback under the skin almost everything is already there just like is Mazda had wanted to to build a GTX in the chassis on the assy line instead of a MX-3. The rear axle of the 323/Protege AWD is mechanically related to the Type 1 rear diff in the (NA) MX-5 but externally not the same. If you intend to do the conversion with a V-6 you would have to import the AWD tranny from a Cappella stationwagon with the KL-ZE. If converting a 4 banger AWD trannies are readily available in most North American scrapyards Since both Mazda and Ford are both offering a model with the AWD tranny that will bolt to the B block. One good used I found for the AWD rear end I picked up a few years is the balance the weight of my car so even thought the rear diff is only freewheeling the rear end feels a lot more secure in ice and snow and doesn't fishtail as much with the extra weight uver the wheels.

Juans_93_MX3 · Post by **Juans_93_MX3** » February 4th, 2005, 9:00 pm

Yoda wrote:Depending on which production line your MX-3 was built on Converting it to AWD is pretty much bolt on. The rear subframe assy attached with 4 bolts. If you unbolt the standard rear crossmember, trailing arms and struts all you have to do is bolt the 323 AWD rear assy in place. The other thing you will have to swap is the (BG) AWD fuel tank in place of the standard fuel tank. There is a tunnel down the middle for the drive shaft and exhaust to pass. Since the MX-3 is really just a (BG) 323 hatchback under the skin almost everything is already there just like is Mazda had wanted to to build a GTX in the chassis on the assy line instead of a MX-3. The rear axle of the 323/Protege AWD is mechanically related to the Type 1 rear diff in the (NA) MX-5 but externally not the same. If you intend to do the conversion with a V-6 you would have to import the AWD tranny from a Cappella stationwagon with the KL-ZE. If converting a 4 banger AWD trannies are readily available in most North American scrapyards Since both Mazda and Ford are both offering a model with the AWD tranny that will bolt to the B block. One good used I found for the AWD rear end I picked up a few years is the balance the weight of my car so even thought the rear diff is only freewheeling the rear end feels a lot more secure in ice and snow and doesn't fishtail as much with the extra weight uver the wheels.

How are you sure this will work with a Cappella stationwagon or a 323 tranny on a K series engine?
Any proof because I am very intrested

DavidOS · Post by **DavidOS** » February 4th, 2005, 10:05 pm

Yoda is master dont argue.

The capella does have the right tranny for the ZE.
I remember Yoda sayign this quite some time ago as well:)

Juans_93_MX3 · Post by **Juans_93_MX3** » February 5th, 2005, 1:14 am

Than why hasnt anyone done a Capella tranny swap before. If it is possible, I got 2 questions in mind and thats if it will be able to take the beating of atleast 330hp and will it work on a K8.
I know the KLZE only has 200hp and 160ft torque but I got plans on making atleast 330hp and am just concerned

Post by **Custommx3** » February 5th, 2005, 12:41 pm

Believeme,

"Yoda" knows his stuff.

Juans_93_MX3 · Post by **Juans_93_MX3** » February 5th, 2005, 12:46 pm

Ok, one last question and this one is a stupid question
I know Ford made the Cappella station wagon, anyone got any info on these Cappella station wagons like they years they were made? I have been searching on Google and cant find anything

mx3TT · Post by **mx3TT** » February 5th, 2005, 1:14 pm

Yoda, you are the master.

relisys_3200 · Post by **relisys_3200** » February 5th, 2005, 1:46 pm

http://english.auto.vl.ru/catalog/mazda/capella/

Juans_93_MX3 · Post by **Juans_93_MX3** » February 5th, 2005, 2:18 pm

So all those models that were made from 1989 to 1999 have the tranny that work with the K series engines?
Knowing that its a station wagon, there are MTX versions of the Capella tranny right?